Below is a quick overview of some of the key differences in door lock grades to help you choose the right solutions for your facility security.
Grade 1 – Heavy Duty Commercial
The strongest and most secure locks in the industry, Grade 1 hardware is designed for commercial security applications and is ideal for high traffic (and potentially high abuse) environments including schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings and venues. Grade 1 hardware is recommended for exterior doors and entry points, as well as high-security and high-usage areas – restrooms, cash rooms, etc.
Grade 2 – Standard Duty Commercial
Grade 2 locks are recommended for commercial applications with standard traffic flow (less than 100 cycles a day), where forced entry is less of a risk. Many commercial office buildings use Grade 2 hardware for interior offices, exam rooms, and storage closets.
Grade 3 – Light Duty Commercial
While not the most highly rated, these locks still meet ANSI/BHMA’s stringent criteria and are generally sufficient for low-security, low-traffic interior applications.
Comparing Door Lock Grades
Security hardware undergoes rigorous testing of operability, durability, safety & security, and aesthetics, as well as compliance with applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, and sustainability guidelines. Some of these standards are equivalent across the grades, establishing a minimum level of expected functionality, whereas other tests are used to determine the best products for a specific application.
(All tests are specific to hardware classification, i.e. Grade 1 door closers are not submitted to the same tests at Grade 1 lock hardware)
All mortise lever locks (ANSI/BHMA A156.13), for instance, share a number of Operational, Strength, and Finish requirements:
- Must retract when subjected to 28 inch-pounds or less rotational force
- Must latch when subjected to 4.5 pounds of force or less
- Must withstand 360 pounds applied to the top of the lever
- Must continue to look acceptable after exposure to environmental conditions (salt, humidity, UV rays, etc)
But evaluation of the Cycle, Security, and Material Evaluation tests help confirm which grade is best suited to a particular opening:
Functionality Test
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Cycles
(Mechanical operations)
1,000,000
800,000
800,000
Security
(Using a ram to impact the cylinder face)
10 blows at 75 foot-pounds of force
5 blows at 75 foot-pounds of force
2 blows at 75 foot-pounds of force
Material Evaluation
(Using a pointed probe to impact the lock rose)
0.075 inch
0.1 inch
0.1 inch
NOTE: Product grade levels for security hardware are determined by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute, and verified by independent laboratories.
Reliable Door Lock Solutions from the ISG
By partnering with national door lock brands and nationwide hardware distributors like SECLOCK, your local ISG Member Dealer can provide you with exactly the right solutions for each physical security entryway on your campus or in your facility.
Contact us today to discuss your specific needs!
You can also talk with your local ISG Member Dealer for a variety of other identification, tracking and security needs like access control, mobile credentials, biometric tracking, and so much more.
